Social Work & Domestic Abuse

Part of the BASW Professional Practice Webinar Series

Welcome

Sarah McMillan, Professional Officer, Scottish Association of Social Work

Presenters:

• Susie Dalton, Children and Young People's Policy Officer, Scottish Women's Aid - Impact of coercive control on children and young people

• Anna Mitchell, UK Lead, Safe & Together Institute - Supporting survivors and principles of the Safe & Together ™ Model

• Rachael Barnes, Social Worker, Safer Families Edinburgh - Working with perpetrators

www.basw.co.uk/resources/domestic-abuse-and-child-welfare-practice-guide-social-workers-0

• Perpetrated in equal numbers by men and women• Violence that is expressive

Situational Couple Violence

• Perpetrated overwhelmingly by men• violence that is functional/instrumental

Intimate Terrorism

• Perpetrated overwhelmingly by women

Violent Resistance

Johnson’s Typologies

The impact of coercive control on children and young people

Susie DaltonChildren and Young People’s Policy Officer, Scottish Women’s Aid

Animation: When home is not safe

How do children experience domestic abuse and coercive control?Very similar experiences to women, but some specific to children and young people

Abuser may be directly – physically, emotionally, psychologically and/or sexually - abusive to the child

Experiencing control and/or violence to their mothers may have an abusive and detrimental impact on the children concerned

‘Domestic Abuse is a parenting choice’» Control of time and resources» Deprivation of resources» Isolation from outside world» Limited opportunities to choose, to feel free, and to develop a

sense of independence and competence (Emma Katz, 2015)

Domestic abuse can profoundly disrupt a child’s environment, undermining their stability and damaging their physical, mental and emotional health.(Child Protection Guidance 2014)

Coercive control and children

Roles Children May Assume

» Caretaker» Pawn» Forced witness to

violent acts» Message carrier» Secret keeper» Shame bearer» Scapegoat

» Target – including in utero

» Mother’s confidante» Abuser’s confidante» Abuser’s ally» Perfect child» Referee

Experiencing, not just witnessing

Coercive control and covid-19» Increases in calls to Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced

Marriage Helpline, and Childline – tip of iceberg» Domestic abuse not caused by coronavirus» …but lockdown measures are giving perpetrators increased

opportunities for harm and control

Areas for increased attention» Children and young people living with perpetrators

– How do we know if risk has increased?» Child contact

– How do we respond to abusers exploiting government guidance?

» Young people experiencing domestic abuse in their own relationships– What specific pressures are they under?

Animation: You are not alone

“When people don’t listen to me itfeels like they think you aren’t aperson, you’re not good enough. It’seven worse when that person is inpower. It like I’m nothing. It affectsmy self-esteem. Makes me think thateverything that has happened is myfault.” (Everyday Heroes)

Anna Mitchell, UK Lead, Safe & Together Institute

Supporting survivors and principles of the Safe & Together ™ Model

Rachael BarnesSocial Worker, Safer Families Edinburgh

Working with perpetrators

Questions

Closing RemarksSarah McMillan, Professional Officer,

Scottish Association of Social Workers